Zion Williamson's weight has been a topic of conversation since he was drafted in 2019. As a rookie, the 6-foot-6 Williamson ranked as the NBA's second-heaviest player behind only the 7-foot-3 Boban Marjanovic.
Though certainly not the only factor, weight has undoubtedly played a role in limiting Williamson to just 85 career games, which has dampened excitement around undoubtedly enchanting production. Williamson has averaged nearly 26 points per game in his young career, but his inability to stay on the floor is throwing up red flags the New Orleans Pelicans clearly don't want to ignore.
It also added some intrigue as to whether or not the Pelicans would offer Williamson a max contract this offseason. Although the Pelicans ended up offering him a max five-year deal, many were quick to wonder — just as they did when the oft-injured Joel Embiid signed his first max extension with the 76ers — what stipulations and clauses were included for David Griffin to protect the team from further extended absences.
It now appears we know.
New Orleans has reportedly included a clause that will require him to stay at a combined weight + body fat percentage of 295, per Christian Clark at NOLA.com. Williamson, currently listed at 284, could face de-escalators in his guaranteed money if he fails to do so.
Williamson, who missed all of the 2021 season with a fractured foot, is known for his powerful play style and his thunderous dunks. Indeed, as the Pelicans made their playoff push, he made waves for videos surfacing of him practicing his dunking again. If the Pelicans are going to get out of the first round of the playoffs, they undoubtedly know he has to be producing at a high level.
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How much is Zion Williamson's new contract?
Williamson's new contract will be worth either $193 million or $231 million depending on his performance this upcoming season. As Spotrac's Keith Smith recently detailed, Williamson will have to make an All-NBA team, win Defensive Player of the Year or be crowned MVP in 2022-23 to be eligible for the full $231 million.
Why did the Pelicans place a limit on Zion Williamson's weight?
Strength is an essential part of Williamson's game. His explosiveness to the basket and impossibly fast first step are hallmarks of his game, not to mention his almost unparalleled ability to finish around the rim.
Williamson, however, has barely played a full NBA season in the three years since he's been drafted. While speculation around his commitment to the Pelicans has swirled, he has said he wants to be in New Orleans, and him signing the extension indicates that.
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The Pelicans, however, need Williamson on the floor. And remember, Williamson agreed to this contract. With that in mind, he clearly believes in his own conditioning enough to stay healthy and at weight.
What does the Pelicans lineup look like next year?
Presuming Williamson returns to the floor, the Pelicans are firmly among the teams of "on the cusp" heading into next season. Here's a look at their potential starting lineup next season:
- PG: C.J. McCollum
- SG: Herbert Jones
- SF: Brandon Ingram
- PF: Zion Williamson
- C: Jonas Valenciunas
Their bench is led by firebrand Jose Alvarado, 2021 first-round pick Trey Murphy, Jaxson Hayes and Larry Nance Jr. The Pelicans stunned the NBA by beating the Clippers in the play-in tournament to make the postseason, where they lost to the Suns in a scrappy series.
What other players have had weight clauses?
While weight clauses aren't an unheard-of part of NBA contracts, it isn't often a player of Williamson's status gets one. Glen Davis got one from the Celtics, as did Derrick Caracter with the Lakers.
The Pelicans are heading into this season with high aspirations, and last season was certainly a success given the circumstances around the team. But heading into this year, it has to become Williamson's team. Clearly, both parties recognize that.
Beyond specific weight clauses, Williamson isn't the only high profile superstar to sign hefty contracts with head-turning clauses. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray has an independent study clause in his $230.5 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals.
Clearly teams are trying to be cautious about the way they sign their young stars. Williamson is no exception.